Ordinary people who have shaped the story of the Welsh Parliament are being celebrated in their very own exhibition at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
The Your Voice exhibition features the stories of seven people who have used their voice at the Senedd to call for change. They include the person who presented a petition calling for a charge to be put on single-use carrier bags; a grieving mother whose campaign has resulted in better support for bereaved parents; and a cancer campaigner determined to secure better treatment for women across Wales.
The Your Voice exhibition, which is at the Senedd until 11 November 2024, offers an opportunity to watch and listen to the people’s individual stories told in their own words, and is part of the Senedd’s celebrations marking 25 years of devolution in Wales.
The people who have used their voice
Among the people in the exhibition, is Neil Evans from Carmarthen whose petition was part of the campaign which led to Wales, in 2011, becoming the first country in the UK to introduce a charge on most single-use carrier bags.
Following the tragic loss of her son and husband within five days of each other, Rhian Mannings from Miskin, Rhondda Cynon Taf, started a Senedd petition calling for better support for parents following the sudden death of a child. The petition and her 2Wish charity campaign let to government introducing bereavement service for parents within 48hrs of a child’s death.
Claire O’Shea from Cardiff used her own experience to help the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee in their inquiry on gynaecological cancer services in Wales. After her concerns were repeatedly dismissed by medics, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment, Claire is putting pressure on Welsh Government to urgently improve services for women across Wales.
Sarra Ibrahim, from Cardiff, has made multiple valuable contributions to the work the Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee, ensuring a voice for minority women who have experienced gender-based violence.
In 2016 Wales became the first country in Europe to introduce a law which links nursing staff numbers with the needs of patients. Lisa Turnbull of the Royal College of Nursing, played an instrumental role in developing the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act, which has changed how hospitals ensure they have the right level of staff to meet the care needs of the patients.
Also featured in the Your Voice exhibition are two influential youngsters who sat on the first ever Welsh Youth Parliament from 2018 to 2021. Angel Azeadum from Cardiff and Cai Phillips from Carmarthenshire were among the first cohort of 60 to bring the voices of Wales’ young people to the heart of the debate at the Senedd.
People shape the story of the Senedd
The Llywydd of the Senedd, Elin Jones MS says: “From the very beginning, people’s voices have shaped the story of the Senedd and will help shape its future too.
“For 25 years, our committees have turned to people in Wales as they investigated the issues that matter, pushing for changes to improve lives. Senedd petitions, with their thousands of signatures, have changed law in Wales, from reducing single-use plastic to protecting animal welfare, and Members are working hard in their communities every day, speaking to people about the issues that matter to them.
“Politicians have come and gone, making their own contributions. But this is not a politicians’ Parliament - it belongs to the people of Wales, who forged its beginning and are shaping its The Llywydd of the Senedd, Elin Jones MS says: “From the very beginning, people’s voices have shaped the story of the Senedd and will help shape its future too.
Use Your Voice
Since the start of the Senedd in 1999, thousands of people have worked with committees and Members of the Senedd on issues that matter to Wales, pushing for changes to improve lives.
There are lots of ways people can get their voices heard. They can contact one of their local Members, start a petition to call for action on an issue that matters to them, or have their say on an issue one of our committees are investigating, or come and visit the Senedd.
The Your Voice exhibition can be seen at the Senedd from September until 11 November 2024. Find out more about activities at the Senedd, including how to visit, book tours and other exhibitions at Visit
